Avonex users- do you have lipo atrophy?

[Starryeyes2]

Hi everyone!
I've been on Copaxone for a little more than 2 yrs. I'm concerned because I have lipo atrophy in every place I inject. I inject in my hips, stomach, and flank area. I'm unable to do the arms or legs anymore due to bad reactions. Avonex is taken in the muscle, right? Is it mainly the thigh? Do you have problems with the pitting skin?

My neuro told me I shouldn't inject into damaged skin. I am having a hard time finding a place to inject. I know the medicine spreads thru the fat and basically kills it straight across. I stress because even tho I have a few side effects, I am glad its not flu symptoms.

Any ideas is greatly appreciated!

Kristi

[maxthecat43]

The lipoatrophy associated with copaxone is a specific kind.  Anyone taking injections can get scar tissue, if they don't rotate sites,but it's not the same thing.

I wouldn't worry about it though.  A nurse will come by to teach you what you need to know to avoid scar tissue developing.

Tammy

[1vet]

I just ran across this sight and am very impressed with the kinds words and thoughs everyone passes on to each other. I was DX in Sept of 2001 with MS and still trying to grasp the whole thing and it is not very easy till I find this kinda sight!

[essdipity]

Hi!

Avonex will not cause this problem because it's a deep injection. I've been on it over 3 years and see a tiny puncture mark for a few days or so and that's it--gone forever.

ess

[jensequitur]

Unfortunately lipoatrophy was one of the reasons why I quit Copaxone.  The areas just got too scarred for me to inject properly.  

And now my legs look even lumpier than they did before - Copaxone kills the fat, but only in the area you inject it into, so I have six dents - one on the top of each thigh, one on each side of my stomach, and one on each hip.

When I switched to Betaseron, I stopped having that problem.

[Lulu54]

Wow, Kristi.  That is not a good thing for you - the lipoatrophy should normally not occur that fast according to my neuro.  I wish Copaxone killed the fat because after three years of using it, I should be a size or two smaller.  LOL


Lipoatrophy can also happen from insulin injections or human growth hormones, and is  not exclusive to copaxone. I'm sorry you are having that problem, especially since you say you are doing well on the copaxone.

You might need to talk about the change with your doctor- go in with your questions and a plan as to what you would like to do. Avonex should not have that problem.